Guide To Voting
Frequently Asked Questions
You must:
- be a South African citizen;
- be at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18); and
- and have a green, barcoded South African identity document (ID), smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary identity certificate (TIC).
Your voice counts. Your vote shapes your world.
Registering is quick and free. You can do it anytime online (via the IEC portal) or in person.
Online (via the IEC portal): Visit registertovote.elections.org.za. You will need the following:
- Green barcoded ID book or Smartcard ID; and
- a mobile device that you will receive a text message with OTP to confirm your cellphone number.
In person: Go to your local IEC office or during official registration weekends at your nearest voting station.
You’ll need one of the following valid IDs:
- Smart-card ID
- Green barcoded ID book
- Temporary ID certificate
You must register where you live so your vote helps decide who represents your community.
For national elections, you can vote anywhere in the country, if you are properly registered and your registration address allows you to vote in that district.
For local elections, you can only vote in your home district.
Here’s what to expect when you arrive at your voting station:
- An IEC official checks your name on the voter’s roll.
- Your ID is scanned and your thumbnail is marked with indelible ink.
- You receive your ballot papers.
- You cast your vote in secret in the voting booth.
- Drop your ballot in the sealed ballot box - done!
It’s simple, it’s safe, it’s your right.
If you’re away from home, working, ill, or abroad, you can apply for a special vote. This allows you to vote before election day, or at a different location (if approved).
Learn more at www.elections.org.za
Here’s what to expect when you arrive at your voting station:
- National and provincial elections: Every 5 years
- Municipal elections: Every 5 years
- By-elections: When a ward councillor’s seat becomes vacant
Voting isn’t just a right - it’s a way to shape the future you want. Every road, job, school, and policy starts with decisions made by people you elect.
If you don’t vote, others decide for you
Here’s what to expect when you arrive at your voting station:
- National and provincial elections: Every 5 years
- Municipal elections: Every 5 years
- By-elections: When a ward councillor’s seat becomes vacant
At national and provincial levels, you’ll vote for a party (proportional representation).
At local elections, you’ll usually get two ballots
- one for a ward candidate, and
- one for a political party.
This ensures your vote influences both local and national change.
Update your registration online at registertovote.elections.org.za to make sure you’re listed in the right district. If you don’t, you may not be able to vote in your area.
Bring only one valid ID:
- Smart-card ID
- Green barcoded ID book
- Temporary ID certificate
Note: Driver’s licences and passports are NOT accepted.
Once registered, check your voting station details here:
www.elections.org.za → My Voting Station
Or contact the IEC:
0800 11 8000 (toll free)
South African citizens who wish to vote in South Africa's next National Election must be registered to vote before proclamation of the election by the President of the Republic.
Why should you register and vote if you live abroad? Because each and every citizen has the right to vote in South Africa's elections, and the responsibility to participate in making decisions for its future. It's your democracy, own it!
Who can register to vote abroad?
To be eligible to register to vote if you live abroad, you must:
- Be a South African citizen;
- Be at least 16 years of age (you must be at least 18 to vote);
- Have a South African identity document (ID) – either a green barcoded ID book OR ID smartcard OR a valid temporary ID certificate.
Remember: By law, South Africans abroad can only vote in South Africa’s national elections; they cannot vote in the provincial elections, regional elections for National Assembly, or municipal elections.
How to register to vote abroad?
Registering to vote abroad can be done in one of two ways:
- Register online anytime, anywhere via the Voter Registration Portal (until proclamation of the election). The portal accommodates both first-time voters abroad, as well as South Africans who have previously registered and voted in South African elections, and who now wish to vote from abroad.
-
Register in person at your nearest South African mission during the mission office hours until proclamation of election date. Click here for a full list of South Africa's missions accredited as international voting stations.
Get ready to register to vote
- Check your current registration status at Voter Registration Portal.
- Get your identity document (ID) ready. Eligible voters abroad are required to have a South African ID (a green barcoded ID book, ID smartcard, or valid temporary ID certificate) to register online. If you don't have an Identity Document, please apply at your nearest South African mission as soon as possible.
Special vote allows a registered voter who can't vote at their voting station on election day to apply to vote on a predetermined day before election day.
By law, special votes can only be cast on the dates specified in the election timetable and no exceptions can be made.
You can apply if you:
- Are a registered voter;
- Have a valid South African identity document (green, barcoded ID book; smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate).
To check that you're registered and to find out where you're registered, you can:
- Check your voter registration status;
- SMS your ID number to 32810; or
- Call the IEC's contact centre on 0800 11 8000.
By law, you can apply for a special vote if you:
- Can’t travel to your voting station because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, or
- can’t vote at your voting station on election day.